Defiant opponent held

MOSCOW: Russian police detained opposition figure Alexey Navalny following his calls for supporters to take part in an unauthorised rally, the Moscow Department of the Interior Ministry said yesterday.

On Sunday, Navalny said the rally authorised by Moscow authorities on the Academician Sakharov Avenue would be held on Tverskaya Street instead.

Authorities have classified Navalny’s call as a provocation.

Navalny’s wife said the opposition figure had been detained.

The department said protocols were to be drawn up due to Navalny’s repeated violation of procedures.